“Kia Boyz” Challenge Is Starting To Frighten Massachusetts Residents
The “Kia Boyz TikTok Challenge” has been around since October of 2022, but it’s starting to find momentum in Massachusetts. Most of the vandalism has occurred in the Worcester area.
The Kia Boyz Challenge is another terrible social media trend found on TikTok. It’s a challenge where people find Kia’s or Hyundai’s manufactured between 2011 and 2021. They break a window of the vehicle, pry open the steering column, and plug a charging cord onto a small metal nub beneath the ignition cylinder. It’s conveniently and perfectly sized to fit into a USB-A plug. The last and final step is to just twist the plug. Theoretically, the car will start after all of those other steps are completed.
Many states have already experienced high levels of car theft since the TikTok trend went viral. And Massachusetts residents are now victims of this same problem.
Worcester Is Getting Hit Hard With Car Thefts Thanks To The Kia Boyz Challenge
Since November 1, 2023, Worcester police reveal that there’s been 24 Hyundai and 12 Kia vehicles stolen just in the city alone. They also reveal that most of the thefts have been concentrated in two “hot spots.” The area of Chandler and Austin Streets and Front and Commercial Streets. They also are warning residents and commuters about the dangers of parking in some of the garages near those areas.
What Can Be Done To Stop It?
If you own a Kia or a Hyundai, Police are urging owners to do a few things to prevent the theft of their vehicles. The first is to use a steering wheel club. That way, the thieves will need a key to unlock your steering wheel. The second is to install a battery disconnect or kill switch. And lastly, install a GPS tracking device. If you have a newer version of a Kia, you can use the Kia Access app to track your car’s location.
Should Other Massachusetts Areas Be Nervous About The Kia Boyz Challenge?
The only reason I know about this TikTok challenge is because my neighbor texted me about it. He knows that both my husband and I drive Kia’s and saw the story in the news. He texted me last night saying that the thefts were starting to spread out from the Worcester area. At the end of the day, if you drive any of these vehicles, definitely lock your cars when you’re not in them. Park in a well-lit area when possible. Take the advice of the police officer about protecting your vehicle.
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Ayla Brown is the host of “Country Mornings with Jonathan and Ayla” on Country 102.5. You can read the rest of her blogs here.
